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Kinsler, Moreland making progress toward return

Kinsler, Moreland making progress toward return

5/16/13: Ian Kinsler slides awkwardly into third base on Elvis Andrus' first-inning single

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- Second baseman Ian Kinsler and first baseman Mitch Moreland both expressed optimism on Monday that their time on the disabled list could be drawing to a conclusion.

Kinsler, out with a strained muscle in his right ribcage, hit off a tee for a second straight day on Monday. He also went through an 11-minute fielding drill with manager Ron Washington at second base.

"We wanted to give him a chance to use every move he would make to aggravate that area," Washington said. "But he went through it real smoothly and got it done."

Kinsler has not played since May 17 and there is no timetable for his return. He hasn't taken full batting practice and he will likely need at least a couple of games on medical rehabilitation. But Kinsler is hoping he can be ready by the end of the current 11-game homestand.

"You basically ramp it up every day and see how it responds," Kinsler said. "We just want to make sure there are no setbacks. It's still a process. This is the frustrating part. When you start taking ground balls, you feel like you can go out there and play. But you still have to go through the process."

Moreland, who went on the disabled list last Thursday with a strained right hamstring, went through some advanced running drills at 60 percent on Monday without any problems. He is eligible to come off the DL on June 21 when the Rangers begin a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

"I'm feeling really good," Moreland said. "If it progresses like it is, I should be ready to go at 15 days. We've got a pretty good plan together … right now it feels good."